Hosea named his children in a way to support his prophecy. God was coming in judgment. It was a terrible picture. However, in His mercy and because of it then this season would not last forever. He was coming with restoration.
“Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God.’ 11 The people of Judah and the people of Israel will come together; they will appoint one leader and will come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel. Say of your brothers, ‘My people,’ and of your sisters, ‘My loved one” (Hosea 1 v 10-2:1)
Do you feel condemned? (Jezreel) Then the promise is that you will come up out of the land. The promise of resurrection. He will raise you up again.
Do you feel unloved? (Lo-Ruhamah) Then the promise is that of love.
Do you feel distant from God? (Lo-Ammi) Then the promise is of knowing you are called a child of God and that you belong to Him.
These names and actions are not the last word. Yes judgment came but God also came again. He restored them and brought them back.
After the exile of Babylon under the leadership of Zerubbabel and also Hosea could have been referring to Ezra and Nehemiah, Judah and Israel were no longer separated, they became one people group. Ultimately the prophecy can refer to the gathering together of Jew and Gentile under Jesus Christ.
Whatever is declared over you will not have the final say over your life. You may be sitting in ashes today and everything has collapsed around you and you feel all 3 names of Hosea’s children. Here is a promise to hold on to.
Missions Paul 